Layers Of Fear Meaning

With the crackle of thunder complimented by rain that streams down every window, Layers of Fear ticks the first box in the list of horror clichés straight from the off.

That's not to say this psychedelic first-person horror doesn't offer anything unique. Starting out in a seemingly empty 19th-century mansion certainly sets an uncomfortable tone, and aided by the rambling narrative of an artist who has completely lost his mind - Layers of Fear consistently unsettles you.

While it's forgivable to consider the concept of Layers of Fear as unoriginal, it would be wrong to assume that it's a carbon copy of P.T.

Yes, the isolated house with spooky goings on is similar to Hideo Kojima's well-received Silent Hill demo, though overall, Layers of Fear is a significantly more interesting tale. Witnessing the
painter's descent into madness as he attempts to complete his masterpiece is intriguing because the more you dive into the artist's mind, the further detached from reality you become. You're never sure if what you see inside the mansion is indeed real or all entirely the hallucinations of a delusional protagonist and because of this, Layers of Fear is enthralling.

You'll walk through a door and turn around to see the hallway you came from has vanished, turn again, and the room you entered has altered significantly. And although you realise that something frightening could happen at any moment, you find yourself compelled to find the closest light switch and confront the "don't turn around" moments.

There's an unpleasant story found here, and as you partake in each twisted chapter, the more troubled you begin to feel. Delving into the artist's psyche becomes fascinating; as you hobble from each confined room to the next, greeted with subtle or sudden changes in each location you explore. Notably, you'll notice oil paintings morph into something else, rooms spin as perspectives flip, and demonic screams whisper from the DualShock 4 as a host of cryptic messages scribble across walls and crayon drawings come alive.

Additionally, various notes scatter the rooms and corridors of the decrepit mansion. Every piece of paper or picture you uncover tells a chapter of the artist's story. And as you discover a fresh note, they all start to piece together, helping you learn more about the reclusive painter and what happened to his family.

Unlike P.T., Layers of Fear is relatively simple, meaning, you won't find yourself stuck not knowing what to do too often as each task or puzzle is painless to solve.

The game doesn't want you to spend hours trying to figure out how many steps you should take back and forth, so you won't find yourself stuck in an array of areas for long. This, like in all proficient horror titles, means the tension never ceases or stutters.

On the subject of stuttering, unfortunately, frame rate and screen tear are noticeable nuisances. Thankfully, though, these issues quickly rectify themselves, and overall, the problem with the frame rate is not severe enough to ruin your overall participation.

Graphically, Layers of Fear isn't the best looking game you will play, nevertheless, the antique furnishings and bookcases that stretch down virtually every corridor all look adequate in their design. Where the game's fundamentally impressive, though, is the obscure changes in the environment aided by the stylish lighting design. Illumination is scarce in certain areas and occasionally the only light source is the occasional flash of lightning or ignited fireplace both of which help create a dazzling ambiance.

As impressive as the lighting and shape-shifting surroundings are, the audio is where Layers of Fear actually shines brightest.
The thunder sounds crisp and the creepy music helps build tension. The creak of every floorboard greets you with each step you take, with the slightest of movements echoing throughout the house causing you to constantly look in all directions.

However, the best part of Layers of Fear's sound design is the incoherent noise that whispers from the DualShock 4. Sure, cheap thrills including classic jump-scares caused by loud bangs or cue changes in the soundtrack are similar to other horror titles, yet, Layers of Fear doesn't heavily rely on those elements. Though, as vigorous as the sound design may be, it's slightly let down by the narration sounding a little weak. However, primarily, this is due to the uninspiring script, opposed to substandard voice acting.

While Layers of Fear doesn't offer much replayability and suffers from several horror cliches, it's still worth checking out.

Overall, there are enough scares here, though to get the most out of Layers of Fear, like numerous horror titles of this ilk, it's best played in
solitary.